System for testing power supply performance

ABSTRACT

A system for testing DC power supply performance includes a control circuit electrically connected to the DC power supply, a test device, and a control device electrically connected to the test device. The control circuit includes a micro controller capable of outputting control signals, a switch control module, and a switch module. The switch control module receives the control signals and powers up according to the control signals. The switch module is electrically connected to the DC power supply input and output terminals respectively, under control of the switch control module. The test device is electrically connected to the switch module and is electrically connected with the DC power supply input and output terminals according to the control signals. The test device reads voltages at the DC power supply input and output terminals which are transmitted to the control device.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to testing systems, and particularly to asystem for testing power supply performance.

2. Description of Related Art

Many electronic apparatuses are not equipped with internal power supplydevices in order to save space and costs. Therefore, these electronicapparatuses require external power supplies. Computers are powered bypower supplies, which are capable of converting alternating current intodirect current. Testing power supply conversion efficiency is animportant test for determining reliability of the power supply. A powersupply outputs +12V, +12VCPU (a power rail for CPU), +5V, +3.3V, −12V,and +5Vaux (standby voltage of +5V) DC voltages at corresponding voltageoutput terminals. An output power of each of the voltage outputterminals is calculated by the formula: P=UI. A total output power ofthe power supply equals the sum of all the output power of the voltageoutput terminals. Then, the ratio of the total output power of the powersupply to AC input power can be calculated to determine whether thepower supply achieves standard conversion efficiency. However, a typicaltesting system needs an operator to manually operate a plurality ofswitches and record current and voltage of each of the voltage outputterminals, which is inefficient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with referencesto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a block view of an embodiment of a system for testing powersupply performance.

FIG. 2 is a circuit view of the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements. It should be noted that referencesto “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily tothe same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodiedin hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions,written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, orAssembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may beembedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will be appreciated thatmodules may comprise connected logic units, such as gates andflip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmablegate arrays or processors. The modules described herein may beimplemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be storedin any type of computer-readable medium or other computer storagedevice.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a system in an embodiment for testing powersupply performance includes a control circuit 100, a test device 200, acontrol device 300, and a DC power supply 400. The control circuit 100includes a micro controller 110, a switch module 120, a switch controlmodule 130, an indication module 140, a power module 150, and aconversion module 160. A DC power supply 400 input terminal and a DCpower supply 400 output terminal are electrically connected to the testdevice 200 via the switch module 120. The micro controller 110 outputsthe corresponding control signals to the switch control module 130. Theswitch control module 130 controls the switch module 120 to electricallyconnect the DC power supply 400 input and output terminals to the testdevice 200 according to the control signals. The test device 200 readsvoltages at the DC power supply 400 input and output terminals which aretransmitted to the control device 300. The DC power supply 400 inputterminal receives a DC voltage via a resistor R1. The DC power supply400 output terminal is electrically connected to an electronic load 500via a resistor R2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the micro controller 110 includes eight bitbidirectional I/O ports PA0˜PA4, PB0, PB1, PD0, PD1, clock ports X1 andX2, power port VCC, and ground port GND. The I/O ports PA0˜PA4 arecontrol signal output ports. The I/O ports PD0 and PD1 are digitalsignal receiving and transmission ports. The I/O ports PB0 and PB1 areelectrically connected to the test device 200. The micro controller 110transmits a test signal to the test device 200 via the I/O port PB0 tostart test. The test device 200 transmits a feedback signal to the microcontroller 110 via the I/O port PB1 when the test is complete. The clockport X1 is electrically connected to the clock port X2 via a crystaloscillator O1. The power port VCC receives a working voltage from thepower module 150.

The switch module 120 includes electronic switches K1˜K4. Each of theelectronic switches K1˜K4 includes a first switch and a second switch.The test device 200 can be connected in parallel with the resistor R1 byclosing of the first and second switches of the electronic switch K1.The test device 200 can be connected in parallel with a DC power supply400 input terminal by the closing of the electronic switch K2 first andsecond switches. The test device 200 can be connected in parallel withthe resistor R2 by the closing of the electronic switch K4 first andsecond switches. The test device 200 can be connected in parallel with aDC power supply 400 output terminal by the closing of the electronicswitch K3 first and second switches. The switch control module 130includes control windings M1˜M4 and diodes D1˜D4. The I/O ports PA0˜PA4are grounded via the control windings M1˜M4 respectively. The I/O portsPA0˜PA4 are electrically connected to the diodes D1˜D4 cathodes. Thediodes D1˜D4 anodes are grounded.

The indication module 140 includes a buzzer LS1 and a resistor R3. Abuzzer LS1 first terminal receives the working voltage VCC from thepower module 150. A buzzer LS1 second terminal is electrically connectedto the I/O port PA4 via the resistor R3. The micro controller 110outputs an indication signal to the indication module 140 when the microcontroller 110 receives the feedback signal. The indication module 140buzzes when it receives the indication signal.

The power module 150 includes a diode D5 and capacitors C1, C2. Thecapacitors C1, C2 first terminals are electrically connected to a +5Vpower adapter anode (not shown). The capacitors C1, C2 second terminalsare grounded. The capacitors C1, C2 second terminals are electricallyconnected to a diode D5 anode. A diode D5 cathode is electricallyconnected to a +5V power adapter cathode. The capacitors C1, C2 firstterminals outputs a +5V DC voltage VCC and provides the working voltageto the micro controller 110, the buzzer LS1, and the conversion module160. The diode D5 is used to protect the power module 150 and preventthe capacitors C1, C2 being damaged should the +5V power adapter bemistakenly connected to the circuit.

The conversion module 160 includes a voltage level conversion chip U1and capacitors C3˜C7. In one embodiment, the voltage level conversionchip U1 is a MAX232 type chip for RS-232 standard interface circuit ofcomputer. The voltage level conversion chip U1 includes charge portsC1+, C1−, V+, V−, C2+, C2−, data transforming ports T1 IN, T1 OUT, R1IN, R1 OUT, a power port VCC, and a ground port GND. The charge portsC1+, C2+ are electrically connected to the charge ports C1−, C2 via thecapacitors C3, C4 respectively. The charge ports V+, V− are electricallyconnected to the 5V DC voltage and ground via the capacitors C5, C7respectively. The charge ports C1+, C1−, V+, V−, C2+, C2− and capacitorsC5, C6, C7, C9 forms a charge pump circuit for generating a +12V voltageand a −12V voltage which are provided to the RS-232 standard interfacecircuit. The power port VCC is electrically connected to the +5V DCvoltage, and grounded via the capacitor C6.

The data transforming port R1 IN acts as a voltage level signalreceiving terminal for receiving the control signals from the controldevice 300. The data transforming port R1 OUT acts as a voltage levelsignal transmitting terminal for transmitting the converted controlsignals to the I/O port PD0. The micro controller 110 switches outputports of the DC power supply 400 for testing according to the receivedcontrol signals. The data transforming port T1 IN acts as a voltagelevel signal receiving terminal for receiving the feedback signal fromthe I/O port PD1. The data transforming port T1 OUT acts as a voltagelevel signal transmitting terminal for transmitting the convertedfeedback signals to the control device 300.

During a test, the DC power supply 400 is electrically connected to thetest system as shown in FIG. 1. The control device 300 switches the DCpower supply 400 output ports for testing by the micro controller 110.The control windings M1˜M4 receives the control signals from the microcontroller 110, and are powered up according to the received controlsignals. The electronic switches K1˜K4 are closed when the correspondingcontrol windings M1˜M4 are powered up. The DC power supply 400corresponding input and output terminals are electrically connected tothe test device 200. The test device 200 reads voltages at the DC powersupply 400 corresponding input and output terminals which aretransmitted to the control device 300. The test device 200 transmits afeedback signal to the micro controller 110 when the test is complete.The micro controller 110 converts the feedback signal to a voltage levelsignal which is identified by the control device 300 via the conversionmodule 160. The test device 200 reads voltages at the resistor R1 andthe DC power supply 400 input terminal via the electronic switches K1and K2 respectively.

The control device 300 calculates a current passing through the resistorR1 according to the voltage at the resistor R1 and a resistor R1resistance. The test device 200 reads voltages at the resistor R2 andthe DC power supply 400 output terminal via the electronic switches K3and K4 respectively. The control device 300 calculates a current passingthrough the resistor R2 according to the voltage at the resistor R2 anda resistor R2 resistance. The currents passing through the resistors R1and R2 are currents at the DC power supply 400 input and outputterminals respectively. The control device 300 calculates the DC powersupply 400 input and output power according to the voltages and currentsat the DC power supply 400 input and output terminals. Then a DC powersupply 400 conversion efficiency is calculated according to the DC powersupply 400 input and output power ratio.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth inthe foregoing description, together with details of the structure andfunction of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, andchanges may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, andarrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the fullextent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which theappended claims are expressed.

1. A system for testing a DC power supply performance, comprising: acontrol circuit electrically capable of being connected to the DC powersupply, comprising: a micro controller capable of outputting controlsignals; a switch control module capable of receiving the controlsignals and being powered up according to the control signals; a switchmodule electrically connected to a DC power supply input terminal and aDC power supply output terminal respectively; wherein the switch moduleis controlled by the switch control module; a test device electricallyconnected to the switch module; wherein the test device is capable ofbeing electrically connected with the DC power supply input and outputterminals according to the control signals; and the test device iscapable of reading voltages at the DC power supply input and outputterminals; and a control device electrically connected to the testdevice; wherein the control device is capable of receiving the voltagesat the DC power supply input and output terminals read by the testdevice.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit furthercomprises a conversion module; the micro controller is electricallyconnected to the control device via the conversion module; and thecontrol device controls the micro controller to power up the switchcontrol module via the conversion module.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the control circuit further comprises an indication module; thetest device is capable of transmitting a feedback signal to the microcontroller when a test is complete; and the indication module is capableof indicating when receives the feedback signal.
 4. The system of claim3, wherein the control circuit further comprises a power module capableof providing working voltages to the micro controller, the indicationmodule, and the conversion module.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein themicro controller comprises a plurality of control signal output portscapable of outputting the control signals; the switch control modulecomprises a plurality of control windings capable of receiving thecontrol signals; and the plurality of control windings are capable ofbeing powered up according to the control signals.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the switch module comprises a plurality of electronicswitches; and the plurality of control windings are capable of closingthe corresponding electronic switches when powered up.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, further comprising an electronic load, a first resistor and asecond resistor; the DC power supply input terminal is capable ofreceiving a DC voltage via the first resistor; and the DC power supplyoutput terminal is electrically connected to the electronic load via thesecond resistor.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein each electronicswitch comprises a first switch and a second switch; the test device isconnected in parallel with the first resistor and the DC power supplyinput terminal via the corresponding first and second switchesrespectively; and the test device is connected in parallel with thesecond resistor and the DC power supply output terminal via thecorresponding first and second switches respectively.
 9. A system fortesting a DC power supply performance, comprising: a micro controllercapable of outputting control signals; a switch control module capableof receiving the control signals and being powered up according to thecontrol signals; a switch module electrically connected to a DC powersupply input terminal and a DC power supply output terminalrespectively; wherein the switch module is controlled by the switchcontrol module; and a test device electrically connected to the switchmodule; wherein the test device is capable of being electricallyconnected with the DC power supply input and output terminals accordingto the control signals; and the test device is capable of readingvoltages at the DC power supply input and output terminals.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the micro controller comprises a plurality ofcontrol signal output ports that are capable of outputting the controlsignals; the switch control module comprises a plurality of controlwindings that are capable of receiving the control signals; and theplurality of control windings are capable of being powered up accordingto the control signals.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the switchmodule comprises a plurality of electronic switches; and the pluralityof control windings are capable of closing the corresponding electronicswitches when powered up.
 12. The system of claim 9, further comprisingan electronic load, a first resistor and a second resistor; the DC powersupply input terminal is capable of receiving a DC voltage via the firstresistor; and the DC power supply output terminal is electricallyconnected to the electronic load via the second resistor.
 13. The systemof claim 12, wherein each electronic switch comprises a first switch anda second switch; the test device is connected in parallel with the firstresistor and the DC power supply input terminal via the correspondingfirst and second switches respectively; and the test device is connectedin parallel with the second resistor and the DC power supply outputterminal via the corresponding first and second switches respectively.14. A system for testing a DC power supply performance, comprising: acontrol circuit, comprising: a micro controller capable of outputtingcontrol signals; a switch control module capable of receiving thecontrol signals and being powered up according to the control signals; aswitch module electrically connected to a DC power supply input terminaland a DC power supply output terminal respectively; wherein the switchmodule is controlled by the switch control module; a test deviceelectrically connected to the switch module; wherein the test device iscapable of being electrically connected with the DC power supply inputand output terminals according to the control signals; and the testdevice is capable of reading voltages at the DC power supply input andoutput terminals; and a control device electrically connected to thetest device; wherein the control device is capable of receiving thevoltages at the DC power supply input and output terminals read by thetest device.